INFERMIERE DELL'ADDOLORATA. - On 27 Sept. 1850 Giovanna Franchi, together with other young women, under the guidance of the penitentiary canon and with the approval of the diocesan Ordinary, founded the Institute in the church of S. Nazzaro, at Como. The small community was initially called the Congregation of the Nursing Sisters of Charity, and at Easter 1858 received permission to have its members wear a religious habit.
At Christmas 1862, with the approval of its constitutions, the Institute became of diocesan right, later passing to pontifical right with the decree of praise and the temporary appro-
val of the constitutions on 25 Jan. 1935. Definitive approval was obtained on 8 June 1942.
The special purpose of the Institute is the spiritual and bodily care of the sick, in clinics and nursing homes as well as in private homes, but only during the day, gratuitously, with preference given to the poor. The sisters also care for the elderly in shelters.
In 1942 the sisters numbered approximately 180, distributed among 5 houses.